Notes from a Liar and Her Dog
by Gennifer Choldenko
ages 9 and up
G.P. Putnam’s Sons, 2001, ISBN 978–0‑399–23591‑7 (hardcover)
Puffin, 2003, ISBN 978–0‑14–250068‑2 (paperback)
Synopsis
Ant MacPherson’s Basic Rules of Life:
- Dogs are better than people.
- The more you say, the longer they ground you for.
- Lying only works if you keep it short.
- Never be nice to people who make fun of you.
- It’s okay to keep a chicken in your house, so long as he’s housebroken.
- Make sure school doesn’t get in the way of important things like your friends.
- Don’t waste the truth on people who won’t understand.
For Antonia MacPherson, lying is a way of life. If it weren’t for her best friend, Harrison, and a tiny ball of fluff named Pistachio, she would be miserable. No matter what she does, her mother thinks she’s wrong. Her younger sister, Katherine the Great, takes notes on Ant’s misbehaviors, which she keeps in a spiral notebook for their parents. Her older sister, Your Highness Elizabeth, says Ant is in training to be a juvenile delinquent, Harrison smells like a salami sandwich, and Pistachio should be put out of his misery. With all those royal opinions, who’s going to listen to an Ant?
But when a teacher takes Ant under her wing, Ant’s way of life may have to change. Just Carol likes the truth. And she won’t take anything less.
Resources
- What Gennifer Says about This Book
- Answers to the Seven Most Embarrassing Questions about This Book
- Teachers’ Guide
Awards and Recognition
- ALA Notable Recording
- Audiofile Earphones Award
- California Book Award
- California Collection Book 2005 (Elementary and Middle School)
- Center for Children’s Books Best Books of 2001
- IRA-CBC Children’s Choice Book
- School Library Journal Best Books of the Year
- US Department of Education: Books That Can Support Character Development
- Children’s Choice Nominees:
- Hawaii Nene Award
- Maine Student Book Award
- Maryland Black-Eyed Susan Award
- Michigan Readers’ Choice Award
- Missouri Recommended New Books
- Pennsylvania Young Reader’s Choice
- Vermont Dorothy Canfield Fisher Award
- West Virginia Children’s Book Award
International Editions
- Catalan
- French
- German
- Spanish
- Thai
- United Kingdom
Reviews
“This funny, touching story of 12-year-old Antonia MacPherson heralds the arrival of a fresh new voice in literature for young people… For any kid who is a middle child, for kids who have trouble getting along with their parents, for kids who are sure that their parents prefer their siblings, this book will bring delight and understanding.” (School Library Journal, starred review)
“Choldenko catches the prickliness of adolescence… Funny, moving and completely believable, this is a fine first novel.” (Booklist, starred review)
“Choldenko vividly captures the feelings of a middle child torn between wanting to be noticed and wanting to be invisible … This funny and touching novel portrays the tug-of-war within this strong heroine and taps into very real emotions.” (Publishers Weekly)
“A refreshing children’s story for anyone sick of being bossed around. Television actress Ariadne Meyers (“Kate and Alley”) reads with a sweet mix of exaggerated youthful agony and clever comic timing.” (Los Angeles Times)
“The American writer Gennifer Choldenko is not a familiar name, but her Notes from a Liar and her Dog should change that. There are many stories around about being disliked and misunderstood when young, but few as sensitive and ultimately triumphant as this.” (Nicholas Tucker, Independent, London)
“Choldenko’s writing is snappy and tender … Ant will win a following for her unusual candor in the process of lying and learning to live with the truth.” (The Bulletin of the Center for Children’s Books)
“A funny story of self-discovery that really sparks the desire to think about your own life …” (VOYA)
“I love this book!” (Paula Danziger, beloved author of the Amber Brown series)